Granara

About

Granara is a co-op headquartered in Valmozzola, Italy specializing in Solar, Biomass.

Granara is an ecological village network located in the Apennine Mountains of Parma, Italy, at the crossroads of Emilia, Tuscany, and Liguria. The community generates all electrical energy from distributed photovoltaic installations on roofs and buildings, producing annually more than its consumption needs. Water heating comes from solar thermal panels. The village employs dry composting toilets, phytodepuration systems, rainwater harvesting for gardens and a natural lake, and wood-fueled heating from surrounding forests. The community is structured as a network of complementary groups including Alekoslab, Centopassi, GATT, g.eco, Teatro, and Granèra. Granara offers residential educational programs on appropriate technologies, environmental education, nonviolent facilitation, and sustainable building with raw earth and straw. The village operates an international volunteer program, cultural festival, and hospitality services. Governance is based on horizontal decision-making through consensus-based assemblies.